Automated compound retrieval and delivery of lumber

ABSTRACT

An automated lumber handling method for transferring various size boards from multiples board storage stations to a common board-receiving area uses a trolley that carries at least two board pickers that can operate independently. The method provides several operating modes. In a first mode, a first board picker retrieves single boards from various stations, while a second board picker is inactive. In a second mode, two board pickers retrieve two individual boards from a single station. In a third mode, one board picker retrieves one size board from a first station, and s second board picker retrieves a different size board from a second station. The two different boards can be released simultaneously at the board-receiving area. In some examples, the lumber at each station is laser scanned to determine the number of boards at each station, and a worker is notified if a station needs to be restocked.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/350,041 filed on Nov. 12, 2016; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/331,824 filed on Oct. 22, 2016; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/577,779 filed on Dec. 19, 2014; which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/136,922 filed on Aug. 15, 2011 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,960,244; which claims priority to provisional patent application No. 61/402,654 filed on Sep. 2, 2010. This present application also claims priority to provisional patent application No. 62/324,151 filed on Apr. 18, 2016. Each of the aforementioned applications and U.S. Pat. No. 8,960,244 are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject invention generally pertains to material handling and more specifically to retrieving individual pieces of lumber stacked at one or more locations and moving the pieces to another location.

BACKGROUND

Various machines and methods have been developed for retrieving individual pieces of lumber or boards stacked at one location and feeding the boards individually to a saw. Examples of such systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,379,105 and 6,923,614. Additional lumber handling systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,730,144; 3,873,000 and 3,952,883. A lumber processing system for making prefabricated trusses and panels is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,950,316.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an example lumber handling system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view similar to FIG. 1 but showing an example board picker at a first retrieval position over a first-to-pick board on one stack of lumber.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the board picker traveling from the first retrieval position to a first delivery position.

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the board picker at the first delivery position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the board picker at a second retrieval position over another first-to-pick board on another stack of lumber.

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the board picker at the second delivery position.

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view similar to FIG. 1 but showing various methods associated with the lumber handling system.

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view similar to FIG. 7 but showing additional methods associated with the lumber handling system.

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view similar to FIG. 7 but showing additional methods associated with the lumber handling system.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional end view taken generally along line 10-10 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional end view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the board picker engaging a board.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional end view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the board picker's piercing tool penetrating the board.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional end view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the board picker lifting the board.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional end view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the board picker releasing the board at a delivery position.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional end view similar to FIG. 10 but showing one piercing tool failing to grip the board.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view showing various methods associated with the lumber handling system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view showing various methods associated with the lumber handling system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view showing various methods associated with the lumber handling system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a schematic side view showing various methods associated with the lumber handling system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is a schematic side view showing various methods associated with the lumber handling system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is a schematic side view showing various methods associated with the lumber handling system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an example board.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a schematic side view show two alternate examples of a piercing tool about to pierce a slightly tilted board

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of an example hole in a slightly tilted board.

FIG. 26 is another cross-sectional view of an example hole in a slightly tilted board.

FIG. 27 is a schematic side view showing a laser scanning a stack of lumber with a bowed board.

FIG. 28 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 27 but showing the board more bowed.

FIG. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a piercing tool attempting to pierce and lift a board with a knothole.

FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 29 but showing the piercing tool in the knothole.

FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 30 but showing the piercing tool failing to successfully lift the board.

FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 31 but showing the piercing tool being shifted over for a second attempt at piercing and lifting the board.

FIG. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 29 but showing the piercing tool making a second attempt at piercing the board.

FIG. 34 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 30 but showing the piercing tool having successfully pierced the board.

FIG. 35 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10 but showing another example lumber handling system constructed in accordance with the teaching herein.

FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 35 but showing one of the two board pickers extended.

FIG. 37 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 35 but showing one board picker having lifted a board.

FIG. 38 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 37 but showing the board picker releasing the board.

FIG. 39 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 17 but showing the trolley carrying two independently operable board pickers.

FIG. 40 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 39 but showing the trolley on another position along the track.

FIG. 41 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 39 but showing a slightly different arrangement of stations and board-receiving area.

FIG. 42 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 41 but showing a first board picker attaching to a board on at a first station.

FIG. 43 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 41 but showing the first board picker transferring the board.

FIG. 44 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 41 but showing the trolley at a slightly different position along the track.

FIG. 45 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 44 but showing the board pickers attaching to two boards on at the first station.

FIG. 46 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 45 but showing the board pickers transferring two boards.

FIG. 47 is a schematic side view virtually identical to FIG. 41.

FIG. 48 is a schematic side view virtually identical to FIG. 42.

FIG. 49 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 43 but showing the example lumber handling system about to pick up a second board but from another station.

FIG. 50 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 49 but showing the second board picker attaching to the second board.

FIG. 51 is a schematic side view similar to FIGS. 47-50 but showing the trolley conveying two boards from different stations.

FIG. 52 is a series of diagrams illustrating various actions of two different types of lumber handling systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-34 at least one example of a lumber handling system 10 (and/or various features and methods thereof) for feeding lumber 12 of various sizes to a downstream processing station such as, for example, a numerically controlled saw 14 such as an Omni Miser by Koskovich/MiTek Industries of Chesterfield, Mo. or a Model ALS Alpine Linear Saw by Alpine Equipment of Grand Prairie, Tex.

In some examples, lumber handling system 10 is used for retrieving and delivering a board 16 having an elongate length 18, a width 20 less than the elongate length 18, and a thickness 22 less than width 20, wherein elongate length 18 and width 20 define an upward facing surface 24. Board 16 is selectively movable to a stored position 26 (FIG. 2), a suspended position 28 (FIGS. 3 and 21) and a delivered position 30 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 21).

Lumber handling system 10, in some examples, comprises a track 32 extending in a lengthwise direction 34 (also referred to as retrieval direction 34) and a trolley 36 coupled to track 32. The term, “trolley” refers to any structure with movement guided by a track or some other elongate member. In some examples, trolley 36 is a structural beam 38 extending laterally from track 32 and is movable in lengthwise direction 34 along track 32 between a retrieval position 40 (e.g., first retrieval position) and a delivery position 42 (e.g., first delivery position 42 a, second delivery position 42 b, etc.). The term, “structural” as used with reference to a beam means an elongate mechanical member, fabrication or assembly, as opposed to a light beam. Thus a “structural beam” as used throughout this patent includes, but is certainly not limited to standard I-beams, channels, fabricated framework, trusses, angles, etc. In some examples, trolley 36 and track 32 are in a cantilevered arrangement. In some examples, trolley 36 and track 32 are of a gantry-type design.

Some examples of system 10 also include a lumber support 44 (e.g., rack, cart, multi-size lumber support, shelf, etc.) with a board-supporting surface 46 supporting the weight of board 16 when board 16 is in its stored position. Some examples of system 10 also include a board-holding tool 48 coupled to structural beam 38 and being movable therewith along lengthwise direction 34. The term, “piercing tool” means any member adapted to penetrate wood. Examples of board-holding tool 48 include, but are not limited to, a screw 48 a, a pointed pin 48 b (e.g., a nail), a suction cup 48 c a dagger, lance, single point blade, multipoint blade, prong, etc. Board-holding tool 48, in some examples, comprises a lower tip 50. In some examples, board-holding tool 48 is movable up and down between a release position 52 and a penetrated position 54 relative to upward facing surface 24 of board 16. In some examples, lower tip 50 of board-holding tool 48 is appreciably above upper surface 24 and spaced apart from board 16 when board-holding tool 48 is in release position 52 while structural beam 38 is in a first retrieval position 40 a and board 16 is in stored position 26. In some examples, lower tip 50 is appreciably below upper surface 24 and penetrating upper surface 24 when board-holding tool 48 is in penetrated position 54 while structural beam 38 is in first retrieval position 40 a and board 16 is in a first stored position 26 a. In some examples, lower tip 50 is appreciably below upper surface 24 and penetrating upper surface 24 when piercing tool 48 is in penetrated position 54 while board 16 is in suspended position 28 hanging from piercing tool 48. In some examples, lower tip 50 is appreciably below upper surface 24 and penetrating upper surface 24 when board-holding tool 48 is in penetrated position 54 while board 16 is in suspended position 28 hanging from board-holding tool 48 and while structural beam 38 is partway between first retrieval position 40 a and first delivery position 42 a, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 19. In some examples, lower tip 50 is appreciably above upper surface 24 and spaced apart from board 16 when board-holding tool 48 is in the release position 52. In examples where board-holding tool 48 is a suction cup 48 c (e.g., FIGS. 35-38), wherein controller 162 selectively provides an output signal 420 that turns on a vacuum pump 422 for creating subatmospheric pressure. A hose 424 of board picker 184 applies the subatmospheric pressure to suction cup 48 c, which can then lift a board 16 by way of suction.

In some examples, system 10 also includes a tool carrier 56 coupling board-holding tool 48 to structural beam 38 such that tool carrier 56 (e.g., a tool carrier 56 a of a first board picker 184 a and a second tool carrier 56 b of a second board picker 184 b) is movable up and down between a raised position (FIGS. 10, 13 and 14) and a lowered position (FIGS. 11, 12 and 15) relative to structural beam 38. In some examples, an actuator 58 (e.g., pneumatic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, linear motor, drive screw, rack-and-pinion, etc.) drives the movement of tool carrier 56 and tools 48 relative to beam 38. In some examples, a sliding guide 60 guides the movement of tool carrier 56 and tools 48 relative to beam 38.

In some examples, system 10 also includes a tool mount 62 coupling board-holding tool 48 to tool carrier 56 such that tool mount 62 is movable up and down between a retracted position (FIGS. 10, 11, 14 and right side of FIG. 15) and an extended position (FIGS. 12, 13 and left side of FIG. 15) relative to tool carrier 56. In some examples, an actuator 64 (e.g., pneumatic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, linear motor, drive screw, rack-and-pinion, etc.) drives the movement of tool mount 62 relative to tool carrier 56. In some examples, tool mount 62 is mounted in substantially vertical sliding relationship with tool carrier 56.

In some examples, particularly in cases where board-holding tool 48 is screw 48 a, a motor 66 (e.g., pneumatic motor, hydraulic motor, electric motor, etc.) rotatably couples tool 48 to tool mount 62, tool carrier 56, and/or beam 38 so that tool 48 can be rotated relative to beam 38 and board 16. In some examples, motor 66 includes a gear reducer for rotating tool 48 slower than a motor rotor of motor 66. In some examples, motor 66 is reversible for selectively screwing and unscrewing screw 48 a.

As for various methods pertaining to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1-34, arrows 68 and 70 of FIG. 16 provide at least one example of placing a board on a lumber support. Arrows 72, 74 and 76 of FIG. 24 and arrow 78 of FIG. 33 provide at least one example of driving a piercing tool downward through an upward facing surface of the board such that the piercing tool penetrates the board to become fastened thereto. Arrow 80 of FIG. 13 provides at least one example of raising board-holding tool 48 with board 16 attached thereto, thereby lifting board 16 from lumber support 44 while board 16 hangs suspended from board-holding tool 48. Arrow 82 of FIG. 3, arrows 84 and 86 of FIG. 19, and arrows 88 and 90 of FIG. 21 provide at least one example of, while a board hangs from board-holding tool 48, moving board-holding tool 48 and the board hanging therefrom in translation from above one or more lumber supports 44 to delivery position 30. Arrows 92 and 94 of FIG. 14 provide at least one example of extracting board-holding tool 48 from board 16, thereby releasing board 16 at delivery position 30. In some examples, a board-receiving area 316 includes a conveyor 96 and/or a board-receiving elevator at delivery position 30 to receive board 16 and ultimately transfer board 16 to saw 14. Holes 98 shown in FIGS. 1, 14, 25 and 26 provide at least one example of: upon extracting tool 48 from a board leaving pierced hole 98 in the board, wherein pierced hole 98 has an average width 100 at upward facing surface 24 and a pierced depth 102. In some examples, pierced depth 102 is at least three times greater than average width 100. The term, “average width” (e.g., average width 100) is defined as the square root of [(4×A)/pi], wherein “A” is the cross-sectional area of the hole (e.g., hole 100) at board surface 24. So, for round holes, the average width is the hole's diameter at upward facing surface 24.

In some examples where board-holding tool 48 is screw 48 a, driving tool 48 a downward 72 through upward facing surface 24 of board 16 and extracting (arrows 92 and 94) tool 48 from board 16 involves turning 104 screw 48 a as illustrated by arrows 104 of FIGS. 11 and 24 and arrows 106 of FIG. 14.

In some examples, arrows 108 and 110 provide at least one example of cutting the board into a plurality of smaller pieces 112, 114, 116,118 and 120. Arrows 122 and 124 of FIG. 1 provide at least one example of assembling the plurality of smaller pieces into an assembly, wherein the assembly, in some examples, is a roof truss 126 or a wall panel 128. In FIG. 1, holes 98 left in truss 126 provide at least one example of leaving pierced hole 98 exposed in the assembly, wherein the exposed pierced hole 98 provides a telltale indication of the assembly's manufacturing process and the equipment used therein. In some examples where lumber 12 is loaded onto a lumber support with board-supporting surface 46 that is slightly tilted (e.g., two degrees from level with reference to earth's gravity) to urge a stack of lumber 12 to lean back (e.g., two degrees from vertical with reference to earth's gravity) against a back support 130 to help prevent the stack from falling forward, a resulting pierced hole 98 in board 16 defines a longitudinal centerline 132 displaced out of perpendicularity with upward facing surface 24 (e.g., displaced an angle 134 of about two degrees), as illustrated by FIGS. 24-26.

In some examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 29-34, system 10 makes two or more attempts at picking up a board if the first attempt fails. FIGS. 29 and 30 show that prior to driving tool 48 downward through upward facing surface 24 of board 16 such that tool 48 penetrates board 16 to become fastened thereto (as shown in FIG. 12), failing to effectively fasten tool 48 to board 16, thereby executing a failed attempt at piercing board 16, wherein FIG. 29 shows tool 48 being lowered into board 16, and FIG. 30 shows a discrepancy (e.g., a void, a knot hole 136, crack, soft area of wood, hard impenetrable area, etc.) that prevents tool 48 from fastening itself to board 16. FIG. 31 and the right side of FIG. 15 provide at least one example showing tool 48 rising without board 16, and a sensor 138 (e.g., proximity switch associated with actuator 64 or tool mount 62, electromechanical limit switch, photoelectric eye, etc.) on the right side of FIG. 15 senses that tool 48 is at its release position, thereby providing at least one example of recognizing the failed attempt. FIG. 32 provides at least one example showing, in response to recognizing the failed attempt, retracting 94 tool 48; and after retracting 94 tool 48, shifting 140 the tool horizontally a predetermined offset distance 142. FIGS. 33 and 34 provide at least one example showing, after shifting 140 tool 48 horizontally the predetermined offset distance 142, driving (represented by arrows 78 and 104) tool 48 downward through upward facing surface 24 of board 16 such that tool 48 penetrates board 16 to become fastened thereto, as shown in FIG. 34.

Referring to FIGS. 16-21, in some examples, arrow 68 of FIG. 16 provides at least one example showing stacking a first plurality of boards 144 on a first lumber support 44 a to create a first stack of lumber 146 (FIG. 17) having a first upper contour 148, wherein the first plurality of boards 144 have a first size (size being characterized by length 18 and/or width 20, as shown in FIG. 22). Arrow 70 of FIG. 16 provides at least one example showing stacking a second plurality of boards 150 on a second lumber support 44 b to create a second stack 152 of lumber having a second upper contour 154, wherein the second plurality of boards 150 has a second size that in some examples is different than the first size of the first plurality of boards 144. A laser beam 156 and arrows 158 of FIGS. 17 and 18 provide at least one example showing laser scanning first upper contour 148 and second upper contour 154. Arrow 160 in conjunction with a controller 162, shown in FIG. 17, provides at least one example showing creating a first digital profile 164 representing first upper contour 148. Arrow 160 in conjunction with controller 162, shown in FIG. 18, provides at least one example showing creating a second digital profile 166 representing second upper contour 154. Based on first digital profile 164 and second digital profile 166, arrow 168 (FIG. 17) and arrow 170 (FIG. 18) in conjunction with controller 162 provides at least one example showing identifying a first-to-pick board (e.g., boards 16 a and 16 b) of each of the first stack of lumber 146 and the second stack of lumber 152. In some examples, controller 162 includes software (e.g., program, algorithm, code, etc.) that identifies the first-to-pick board as being, for a given stack of lumber, a top layer board that is closest to the board's delivered position 30. In some examples, controller 162 is programmed to also execute an algorithm 172 shown in FIG. 1, wherein a block 174 illustrates generating and inputting 176 a board request 178 of a predetermined size; a block 180 illustrates determining which of the first size and the second size matches the predetermined size; block 182 illustrates: depending on which of the first size and the second size matches the predetermined size, directing a board picker 184 to at least one of the first stack of lumber 146 and the second stack of lumber 152 and further directing board picker 184 to the first-to-pick board 16 a or 16 b of those stacks of lumber. Board picker 184 is schematically illustrated to represent any apparatus capable of lifting board 16 up from a lumber support or stack of lumber. One example of board picker 184 is board-holding tool 48 (e.g., screw 48 a, nail 48 b, suction cup 48 c, etc.) coupled to and carried by tool carrier 56, which in turn is coupled to and carried by structural beam 38. Arrows 84 and 86 of FIG. 19 provides at least one example showing board picker 184 picking up first-to-pick board 16 b and transporting it from the second stack of lumber 152 to a delivered position 30 spaced apart from the first stack of lumber 146 and the second stack of lumber 152.

FIG. 17 illustrates one example of displaying a digital image 186 of the first digital profile 164 on a digital display 188 (computer monitor, touchscreen, etc.), and FIG. 18 illustrates one example of displaying a digital image 190 of the second digital profile 154 on digital display 188.

In some examples, first-to-pick board 16 a and/or 16 b is board 16 shown in FIG. 22, wherein board 16 has an elongate length 18 (e.g., 6-20 feet), a width 20 (e.g., 4-12 inches nominal) less than elongate length 18, and a thickness 22 (e.g., 2 inches nominal) less than width 20. Width 20 extends between opposite longitudinal edges 192 of the first-to-pick board; the opposite longitudinal edges 192 are substantially parallel to each other; and the first-to-pick board, in some examples, also has a wane 194 extending along and interrupting one of the opposite longitudinal edges 192. The term, “wane,” means the presence of bark or abnormal lack of wood at the edge of a board. A wane is often a prominently beveled defect created by a board being cut from a tree trunk near the trunk's outer periphery. Arrow 196 of FIG. 23 provides at least one example showing establishing a target location 198 for board picker 184 to engage the first-to-pick board, wherein target location 198 is substantially midway between the opposite edges 192 of the first-to-pick board. FIG. 23 and dashed line 200 of FIG. 22 provides at least one example showing laser scanning wane 194 but disallowing wane 194 to alter target location 198.

FIGS. 20 and 21 provide at least one example showing a board picker 184 fetching 202 a second board 16 from second stack of lumber 152 or delivering 204 second board 16 to delivered position 30. Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, line 156 and arrows 202 and 204 provide at least one example showing second-pass laser scanning 156 the first upper contour 148 of the first stack of lumber 146 while board picker 184 is in a process of fetching 202 second board 16 from the second stack of lumber 152 or in the process of delivering 204 second board 16 to delivered position 30. Arrows 206 and 208 provide at least one example showing updating the first digital profile 164′ based on the second-pass laser scanning 156 of the first upper contour 148 of the first stack of lumber 146.

FIGS. 27 and 28 show one example of a stack of lumber 210 having a bowed board 16 c that bows upward to define an uppermost point 212 of an upper contour 214 as determined by laser scanning 156 of upper contour 214. FIGS. 27 and 28 also show at least one example of interposing bowed board 16 c laterally between two adjacent boards 16 d and 16 e in stack of lumber 210, wherein bowed board 16 c protrudes upward a bowed distance 216 above the two adjacent boards 16 d and 16 e as determined by laser scanning 156 upper contour 214. Dimension 218 of FIGS. 27 and 28 provides at least one example showing defining a predetermined distance 218. Arrow 220 of FIG. 28 provides at least one example showing identifying bowed board 16 c as the first-to-pick board of stack of lumber 210 if bowed distance 216 is greater than predetermined distance 218. Arrow 252 of FIG. 27 provides at least one example showing identifying another board (e.g., a board 160 other than bowed board 16 c as the first-to-pick board of stack of lumber 210 if bowed distance 216 is less than predetermined distance 218.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate convenient means for loading and replenishing lumber supports 44 with stacks of lumber. The drawing figures show board picker 184 being movable horizontally along board retrieval direction 34, the plurality of lumber supports 44 being movable horizontally in a lateral direction 224 traversing board retrieval direction 34, at least one material handling vehicle 226, and delivery position 42. The term, “direction” as used with reference to “board retrieval direction,” “lateral direction,” “vertical direction,” etc., encompasses an infinite set of parallel lines in space (e.g., straight parallel lines or curved parallel lines), and covers moving either way along any of the lines, e.g., moving in a vertical direction encompasses moving up and down, and not necessarily just upward. The term, “material handling vehicle,” means any lumber transporter. Examples of a material handling vehicle include, but are not limited to, a forklift truck, manual forklift, pallet truck, pallet jack, dolly, cart, stacker, walkie stacker, etc.

Dashed lines provide at least one example of defining a work area 228 and defining a service area 230 laterally offset to work area 228. Arrows 232 of FIG. 7 provide at least one example of segregating lumber by board size to create a plurality of lumber stacks 146, 152 and 234 that are distinguishable by board size. Lines 236 of FIG. 7 provide at least one example of loading the plurality of lumber stacks 146, 152 and 234 on the plurality of lumber supports 44 such that each lumber support 44 of the plurality of lumber supports holds one of the plurality of lumber stacks 146, 152 or 234. Lines 238 provide at least one example of defining a plurality of shuttle paths 238 extending in lateral direction 224 between work area 228 and service area 230, wherein the plurality of shuttle paths 238, in some examples, correspond in quantity to the plurality of lumber supports 44. Arrows 240 provide at least one example of selectively translating the plurality of lumber supports 44 individually between work area 228 and service area 230 and doing so via the plurality of shuttle paths 238. Arrows 242 of FIG. 1 provide at least one example of board picker 184 repeatedly translating in board retrieval direction 34 over work area 228, thereby transporting a plurality of boards individually from the plurality of lumber stacks in the work area 228 to delivered position 30. Arrows 242 are shown slightly curved simply for illustration to show that board picker 184 travels over the stacks of lumber and pausing at certain points (e.g., points 244 and/or 246) to pick up chosen boards. Arrows 248 and 250 of FIG. 8 provide at least one example of material handling vehicle 226 replenishing a chosen lumber support 44 b or 44 c of the plurality of lumber supports 44. Arrow 252 of FIG. 8 provides at least one example of moving one lumber support 44 c of the plurality of lumber supports 44 from work area 228 to service area 230, wherein lumber support 44 c travels along one shuttle path of the plurality of shuttle paths 238. Arrows 248 and 250 provide at least one example of material handling vehicle 226 traveling in board retrieval direction 34 to deliver an additional set of boards 152′ or 234′ to the chosen lumber support, wherein the chosen lumber support is in either work area 228 and/or service area 230. Arrow 254 provides at least one example of moving the one lumber support 44 c of the plurality of lumber supports 44 from service area 230 back to work area 228, wherein the one lumber support 44 c travels along the one shuttle path 238. In some examples, the chosen lumber support is the one lumber support 44 c, as indicated by arrow 250 showing material handling vehicle 226 traveling in service area 230 toward chosen lumber support 44 c. In some examples, the chosen lumber support and the one lumber support 44 c are two separate lumber supports, as indicated by arrow 248 showing material handling vehicle 226 traveling in work area 228 toward chosen lumber support 44 b. In some examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7-9, lumber supports 44 are manually portable wheeled carts. Arrows 252, 254, 256 and 258 provide at least one example of manually 260 moving wheeled cart lumber supports between work area 228 and service area 230.

Arrow 68 of FIG. 16 with further reference to FIGS. 24-26 provides at least one example showing placing a board on a lumber support such that an upward facing surface 24 of the board is tilted at an incline, as indicated by angle 134. The term, “incline” means tilted out of perpendicularity with earth's gravity, e.g., upward facing surface 24 is not perpendicular to earth's gravity and thus surface 24 is not level. Arrow 76 of FIG. 24, arrow 72 of FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 provide at least one example showing driving tool 48 in a downward direction 72 through the upward facing surface 24 of the board such that tool 48 penetrates the board to become fastened thereto. Arrow 80 of FIG. 13 provides at least one example showing raising tool 48 with the board fastened thereto, thereby lifting the board from lumber support 44 while the board hangs suspended from tool 48. Arrows 84 and 86 of FIG. 19 provide at least one example showing, while the board hangs from tool 48, moving tool 48 and the board in translation from above the lumber support to a delivery position. Arrows 92 and 94 of FIG. 14 provide at least one example showing extracting tool 48 from the board, thereby releasing the board at delivery position 30.

FIG. 17 provides at least one example showing laser scanning 156 upper contour 148 of a stacked plurality of boards. Lines 160, 262 and the displayed image 186 on controller 162 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 17 provide at least one example showing creating a digital profile 164 representing upper contour 148 and displaying a digital image 186 of digital profile 164, but displaying digital image 186 such that the stacked plurality of boards 146 appear to be level rather than tilted.

In some examples, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 16-21, system 10 includes separate lumber supports 44 and a multi-size lumber support 264. In some examples, each lumber support 44 holds lumber of a single board size (e.g., same nominal length and width), and the board size in any one lumber support 44 differs from the others. In addition, multi-size lumber support 264 has multiple compartments for holding relatively small quantities of odd or less common board sizes (multi-size lumber support 264 holds a supplementary plurality of boards 16 of various sizes).

FIG. 1 with further reference to FIGS. 7-9 provide at least one example showing positioning the plurality of lumber stacks in work area 228 such that a plurality of boards of the plurality of lumber stacks lie substantially perpendicular to a predefined imaginary plane 266 and are substantially centrally justified relative to the imaginary plane even while some boards of the plurality of boards are longer than other boards of the plurality of boards. FIG. 1 and FIGS. 16-21 provide at least one example showing storing a supplemental plurality of boards 16 in multi-size lumber support 264 disposed in work area 228, wherein the supplemental plurality of boards 16 have an assortment of board lengths that differ from that of the lumber on the plurality of separate lumber supports 44. Block 174 of FIG. 1 provides at least one example showing generating a board request 178 for a set of boards of various sizes (e.g., set of board includes board-A and board-B), wherein the set of boards of various sizes includes a supplemental board (e.g., board-A) from multi-size lumber support 264 and at least one board (e.g., board-B) from the plurality of boards stacked on the plurality of separate lumber supports. Arrows 242 and 268 of FIG. 1 provide at least one example showing board picker 184 repeatedly translating in board retrieval direction 34 over work area 228, thereby transporting the set of boards (e.g., including board-A and board-B) individually from the plurality of lumber stacks 44 and multi-size lumber support 264 in work area 228 to delivered position 30. In FIG. 1, arrows 242 and 268 each shown splitting provide at least one example showing board picker 184 selectively delivering to each of the two delivered positions 30 a and 30 b, wherein the two delivered positions feed two separate saws 14.

In some examples, additional items perhaps worth noting include items 270 in FIGS. 10-15, which provide a stop or point of engagement between tool carrier 56 and upper surface of a board. Examples of items 270 include, but are not limited to, a hard pad, a soft pad, a bumper, a serrated gripper, and any board-engaging lower surface of tool carrier 56. In some examples, items 270 help hold a board steady as tool 48 approaches and is driven into the board. The term, “pierce” and derivatives thereof mean at least partially penetrating.

In some examples, hole 98 having a depth 102 that is at least three times greater than the hole's diameter or average width helps ensure that tool 48, after being driven into the board, will remain stuck in the hole without an external member having to hold the piercing tool in the hole (e.g., the board can hang from tool 48), yet tool 48 can be forcibly extracted later. For greater holding force, in some examples, two piercing tools 48 are driven into board 16 along converging or diverging paths.

In some examples, structural beam 38 is supported in a cantilever manner from track 32. In some examples, structural beam 38 is part of a gantry with vertical support at both ends. In other examples, tool carrier 56 is suspended from an overhead monorail extending along plane 266. In some examples, such a monorail is supported by one or more stationary cantilevers having one end anchored to a wall or floor-mounted vertical post.

In some examples, as shown in FIG. 1, a drive system 272 positions and powers the movement of structural beam 38 along track 32, wherein drive system 272 comprises a cogged belt 274 supported between a drive cogged wheel 276 and an idler cogged wheel 278 with opposite ends of belt 274 being attached directly or indirectly to beam 38 and with drive wheel 276 coupled to a motor 280. In some examples, motor 280 is a model AM3042-1G00-000 servomotor by Beckhoff of Verl, Germany.

In response to various inputs, controller 162 controls various components of system 10 including, but not limited to, controlling motor 280 via an output 282, controlling board picker 184 and various actuators thereof, controlling a laser unit 284, and controlling digital display 188. Controller 262 is schematically illustrated to present any electrical device able to provide various outputs in response to various inputs. Examples of controller 262 include, but are not limited to, a computer, a PLC (programmable logic controller), etc. A specific example of controller 262 is a model CP6201-0001-0200 industrial computer by Beckhoff of Verl, Germany.

Laser unit 284 is schematically illustrated to present any device that emits a laser beam 156 for sensing a distance between a surface and the laser emitting device. An example of laser unit 284 includes, but is not limited to, a model RF603-260/1250-232-I-IN-AL-CC-3 laser triangulation position sensor provided by Riftek of Minsk, Russia. Input 286 and output 288 schematically represent control communication between controller 282 and laser unit 284. Upon scanning the upper profile of stacks of lumber to identify the first-to-pick board of a particular stack, laser unit 284 also identifies the location of each stack of lumber relative to each other and/or in relation to delivery position 30 because controller 162 being in communication with motor 280 and laser unit 284 can correlate laser scan readings with the position of board picker 184.

Input 290 and output 292 schematically represent control communication between controller 162 and board picker 184 (and its various components), wherein the board picker's various components include sensors 138, motor 66, and actuators 58 and 64. An example of sensor 138 includes, but is not limited to, a model NBB5-18GM60-A2-V1 inductive sensor provided by Pepperi-Fuchs of Mannheim, Germany.

Independent Dual Heads (FIGS. 35-52)

Some examples of lumber retrieval system 10 include a single set of board pickers 184 (for picking up one board 16), as shown in Diagram-A of FIG. 52. Other examples include two sets of board pickers 184 (for picking up two boards 16 of equal or different size), as shown in Diagram-B of FIG. 52. Board picker 184 is schematically illustrated to represent any apparatus capable of lifting board 16 up from a lumber support or stack of lumber. Examples of board picker 184 include, but are not limited to, piercing tools, suction cups, hooks, grippers, etc. The single head version can retrieve a single board 16 in one cycle and deliver it to saw 14 or other process. The double board picking head version can pick up two boards 16 at once and deliver them in a single cycle. In some examples, both use a single vertical pickup axis. Some double board versions are equipped with multiple pick up devices (board picker) on a single head making it capable of lifting two boards simultaneously and delivering them to the process. This speeds the delivery of lumber when compared to the single board version especially in the case of a large system where travel time increases due to the length of travel required.

The single head version has delivery speed limitations based on delivering only one board per cycle. Some two board versions can improve on the delivery speed, but only under certain circumstances. In some versions, two boards being picked up must lie adjacent to each other. In some examples, the pickup devices for each board are a fixed distance apart making it unsuitable for two boards that are not spaced to match the fixed distance. This limits its use to certain sizes of boards. In such examples, any two boards must be picked up simultaneously which means they must come from the same lumber stack. Because boards in stacks are often skewed it is not possible or desirable to pick up a board on one stack and then lower the first picked board again to pick up from a second stack, as the board being lowered may interfere with the second lumber stack. Requiring the two boards to come from the same stack and hence be the same dimensions is a limitation of such systems. Some end processes, such as sawing, may require different sized boards in the cutting sequence making it undesirable to deliver two like-sized boards at once. A further disadvantage lies in the fact that the double board head must retrieve adjacent boards. Sometimes adjacent boards are not available, as when there is a single board left on a layer.

The new multiple picking head design, as shown in Diagrams C-G does not have these shortcomings. The construction uses two individual board pickers 184 (e.g., a first board picker 184 a and a second board picker 184 b), each with its own vertical axis which can be operated independently. They are mounted to a single trolley 36 and move together in the horizontal direction (e.g., a forward direction 34 a or a rearward direction 34 b, as shown in FIG. 41). The spacing on the two board pickers 184 a and 184 b is wide enough to pick up two wide boards (2″×12″ for example) without interference from each other. Boards 16 can easily be picked up from the same stack of lumber (e.g., from a first stack of lumber 146) if like sized boards are required or picked up from two different lumber stacks 146 and 152 to deliver different sized boards. The end process, such as sawing, can now receive unlike boards 16 in sequence and delivered in one cycle. Diagram-C shows board picker 184 a picking a first board 16 from one stack, Diagram-D shows board picker 184 b picking a second board 16 from another stack, Diagram-E shows both boards 16 being delivered to saw 14, Diagram-F shows board picker heads 184 a and 184 b retrieving a second pair of boards 16, but this time the two boards 16 are identical and taken from the same stack, and Diagram-G shows trolley 36 delivering both boards 16 to saw 14.

A further advantage of the design shown in Diagrams C-G is that if one board picker 184 a or 184 b malfunctions, the other one can still be used in a single board per cycle delivery mode to keep the end process supplied with lumber. This design shown in Diagrams C-G is not limited to double picking head design, as any number of picking heads 184 could be added to a single trolley 36 to increase production by delivering multiple boards 16 per cycle. This design would be especially advantageous when feeding multiple saws 14 or processes with one lumber retrieval system.

In some examples, a lumber handling method of using a trolley for transferring a load toward a saw, wherein the load comprises selectively a first board, a second board, and a combination of both the first board and the second board, the lumber handling method is defined as follows: in a first selected operation, the trolley carrying the first board without the second board toward the saw; in a second selected operation, the trolley carrying the second board without the first board toward the saw; and in a third selected operation, the trolley carrying simultaneously the first board and the second board toward the saw.

FIGS. 35-38 illustrate an example lumber handling system comprising trolley 36 and beam 38, which carry laser unit 284 and two independently actuated board pickers 184 (first board picker 184 a and second board picker 184 b). Trolley 36 travels along track 32 between board-receiving area 316 and a plurality of stations where lumber 12 of various sizes is stored on lumber supports 44.

In this example, board pickers 184 include board holding tools 48, which happen to be illustrated in the form of suction cup 48 c; however, other styles of tool 48 can be used as well, such as screw 48 a or nail 48 b. To selectively hold or release board 16, in the case of suction cup 48 c, controller 162 provides an output signal 420 that turns vacuum pump 422 on or off for creating subatmospheric pressure at suction cup 48 c as needed. In addition or alternatively, vacuum pump 422 in combination with a vacuum holding tank and valves control the vacuum at suction cup 48 c. Hose 424 of board picker 184 applies the subatmospheric pressure to suction cup 48 c, which can then hold and lift a board 16 by way of suction.

FIG. 35 shows both board pickers 184 a and 184 b retracted with no subatmospheric pressure at suction cups 48 c. FIG. 36 shows one tool carrier 56 having lowered board picker 184 a down against upper surface 24 of board 16, while the other board picker 184 b remains retracted. At this point, controller 162 outputs signal 420, whereby hose 424 conveys subatmospheric pressure to suction cup 48 c, and suction cup 48 c becomes drawn firmly against board 16. FIG. 37 shows tool carrier 56 a retracting suction cups 48 c to lift board 16. FIG. 38 shows vacuum pump 422 deactivated to release board 16 onto conveyor 96 at board-receiving area 316.

FIGS. 39 and 40 are similar to FIGS. 17 and 18 but show the lumber handling system with a dual-head design. In the example shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, trolley 36 and beam 38 carry two heads, board picker 184 a and 184 b. Under command of controller 162, board picker 184 a can pick from either lumber stack 146 at a first station 432 or lumber stack 152 at a second station 434. The same is true for board picker 184 b. Board pickers 184 a and 184 b can pick at separate times or pick simultaneously. They can pick from the same stack of lumber or pick from different ones.

FIGS. 39 and 40 further illustrate a lumber handling method with means for laser scanning multiple stacks of lumber to determine the quantity of boards in each stack and for providing an alert signal 430 (e.g., light, text message, audible alarm, etc.) when a quantity is getting low. Laser beam 156 in FIG. 40 represents laser scanning upper contour 148 of a first plurality of boards 144 at a first station 432. Computer processing block 428 represents controller 162 computing a first quantity of the first plurality of boards 144 based on laser scanning the first plurality of boards 144 at first station 432. Laser beam 156 in FIG. 39 represents laser scanning upper contour 154 of a second plurality of boards 150 at second station 434. Computer processing block 426 represents controller 162 computing a second quantity of the second plurality of boards 150 based on laser scanning upper contour 154 of the second plurality of boards 150 at second station 434. Controller 162 provides alert signal 430 if at least one of the first quantity and the second quantity is below a predetermined minimum quantity. Controller 162 computes a board quantity by integrating the area under contour 148 or 154 and dividing that area by the known cross-sectional area of a single board under the contour. In some examples, a person inputs the known cross-sectional area into controller 162.

FIGS. 41-51 illustrate a lumber handling method involving the use of track 32, trolley 36, first board picker 184 a, second board picker 184 b, controller 162, first station 432, second station 434, and board-receiving area 316. Board holding tool 48 is schematically illustrated to represent any type of board holding tool including, but not limited to, screw 48 a, nail 48 b and suction cup 48 c.

Arrows 34 a and 34 b represent trolley 36 traveling along track 32 selectively in forward direction 34 a toward board-receiving area 316 and rearward direction 34 b away from board-receiving area 316. FIGS. 41-51 show trolley 36 carrying both first board picker 184 a and second board picker 184 b. Arrows 68 and 70 of FIG. 16 (with reference to FIGS. 41-51) represents placing first and second plurality of boards 144 and 150 at first and second stations 432 and 434. In some examples, first plurality of boards 144 includes a first chosen board 16 h and a second chosen board 16 k, each of which are of a first size (e.g., 2×6×8 ft long). In some examples, second plurality of boards 150 includes a third chosen board 16 m of a second size (e.g., 2×6×12 ft long, 2×8×8 ft long, etc.), wherein the second size is different than the first size.

FIGS. 41-43 represents a first period, wherein first board picker 184 a descends toward first board 16 h (FIG. 41), first board picker 184 a attaches to first board 16 h (FIG. 42), first board picker 184 a lifts first board 16 h (depicted by arrow 436), first board picker 184 a carries first board 16 h from first station 432 toward board-receiving area 316 (as depicted by arrows 438), and arrow 440 represents first board picker 184 a releasing first board 16 h. During this first period, second board picker 184 b remains retracted and carries no board.

FIGS. 44-46 represents a second period, wherein board pickers 184 a and 184 b descend generally simultaneously to pick up first and second boards 16 k and 16 h from first station 432. Board pickers 184 a and 184 b then carry the boards from first station 432 toward board-receiving area 316, as depicted by arrows 442.

FIGS. 47-51 represents a third period, wherein first board picker 184 a picks up board 16 h from first station 432 while second board picker 184 b remains retracted for awhile (FIGS. 47 and 48). While first board picker 184 a carries board 16 h, trolley 36 moves from first station 432 to second station 434, as shown in FIG. 49, so that second board picker 184 b can pick up board 16 m from second station 434, as shown in FIG. 50. FIG. 51 shows board pickers 184 a and 184 b carrying boards 16 h and 16 m to board-receiving area 316. In some examples, although there is significant time span (first time span) between picking up the two boards 16 h and 16 m, there can be an inconsequentially small time span (second time span) between when board pickers 184 a and 184 b release boards 16 h and 16 m at board-receiving area 316. Thus, to minimize board handling time, the second time span (greater than or equal to zero seconds) is significantly less than the first time span.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of the coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A lumber handling method involving the use of a track, a trolley, a first board picker, a second board picker, a controller, a first station, a second station, and a board-receiving area, the lumber handling method comprising: the trolley traveling along the track selectively in a forward direction toward the board-receiving area and a rearward direction away from the board-receiving area; the trolley carrying both the first board picker and the second board picker; placing a first plurality of boards at the first station, the first plurality of boards includes a first board of a first size and a second board of the first size; placing a second plurality of boards at the second station, the second plurality of boards includes a third board of a second size, wherein the second size is distinguishable from the first size; during a first period, the first board picker carrying the first board from the first station toward the board-receiving area while the second board picker carries no board; during a second period, the first board picker carrying the first board from the first station toward the board-receiving area while the second board picker carries the second board from the first station toward the board-receiving area; and during a third period, the first board picker carrying the first board from the first station toward the board-receiving area while the second board picker carries the third board from the second station toward the board-receiving area.
 2. The lumber handling method of claim 1, further comprising: the first board picker applying subatmospheric pressure to the first board during the first period; and the second board picker applying subatmospheric pressure to the second board during the second period; and the second board picker applying subatmospheric pressure to the third board during the third period.
 3. The lumber handling method of claim 1, further comprising: the first board picker screwing a first screw into the first board during the first period; and the second board picker screwing a second screw into the second board during the second period; and the second board picker screwing the second screw into the third board during the third period.
 4. The lumber handling method of claim 1, further comprising during the first period, the first board picker carrying the first board over the second station.
 5. The lumber handling method of claim 1, further comprising: the first board picker picking up the first board from the first station; the first board picker carrying the first board toward the second station; and after the first board carries the first board toward the second station, the second board picker picking up the second board.
 6. The lumber handling method of claim 1, further comprising: the first board picker picking up the first board from the first station; the first board picker carrying the first board toward the second station; after the first board picker carries the first board toward the second station, the second board picker picking up the second board from the second station; the first board picker releasing the first board at the board-receiving area; and the second board picker releasing the second board at the board-receiving area substantially simultaneously with the first board picker releasing the first board.
 7. The lumber handling method of claim 1, further comprising: laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station, and laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station.
 8. The lumber handling method of claim 1, further comprising: laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station; the controller computing a first quantity of the first plurality of boards based on laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station; laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station; and the controller computing a second quantity of the second plurality of boards based on laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station.
 9. The lumber handling method of claim 1, further comprising: laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station; the controller computing a first quantity of the first plurality of boards based on laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station; laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station; the controller computing a second quantity of the second plurality of boards based on laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station; and the controller providing an alert signal if at least one of the first quantity and the second quantity is below a predetermined minimum quantity.
 10. A lumber handling method involving the use of a track, a trolley, a first board picker, a second board picker, a controller, a first station, a second station, and a board-receiving area, the lumber handling method comprising: the trolley traveling along the track selectively in a forward direction toward the board-receiving area and a rearward direction away from the board-receiving area; the trolley carrying both the first board picker and the second board picker; placing a first plurality of boards at the first station, the first plurality of boards includes a first board of a first size and a second board of the first size; placing a second plurality of boards at the second station, the second plurality of boards includes a third board of a second size, wherein the second size is distinguishable from the first size; the first board picker picking up the first board from the first station; the first board picker carrying the first board toward the second station; after the first board picker carries the first board toward the second station and while the first board picker is still carrying the first board, the second board picker picking up the second board from the second station; the first board picker releasing the first board at the board-receiving area; and the second board picker releasing the second board at the board-receiving area.
 11. The lumber handling method of claim 10, wherein a first time span extends between when the first board picker picks up the first board and when the second board picker picks up the second board, and a second time span extends between when the first board picker releases the first board at the board-receiving area and when the second board picker releases the second board at the board-receiving area, and the first time span is greater than the second time span.
 12. The lumber handling method of claim 10, wherein the first board picker releasing the first board at the board-receiving area and the second board picker releasing the second board at the board-receiving area occurs substantially simultaneously.
 13. The lumber handling method of claim 10, further comprising: the first board picker screwing a first screw into the first board; and the second board picker screwing a second screw into the second board.
 14. The lumber handling method of claim 10, further comprising the first board picker carrying the first board over the second station.
 15. The lumber handling method of claim 10, further comprising: laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station, and laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station.
 16. The lumber handling method of claim 10, further comprising: laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station; the controller computing a first quantity of the first plurality of boards based on laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station; laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station; and the controller computing a second quantity of the second plurality of boards based on laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station.
 17. The lumber handling method of claim 10, further comprising: laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station; the controller computing a first quantity of the first plurality of boards based on laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station; laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station; the controller computing a second quantity of the second plurality of boards based on laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station; and the controller providing an alert signal if at least one of the first quantity and the second quantity is below a predetermined minimum quantity.
 18. A lumber handling method involving the use of a track, a trolley, a first board picker, a second board picker, a controller, a first station, a second station, and a board-receiving area, the lumber handling method comprising: the trolley traveling along the track selectively in a forward direction toward the board-receiving area and a rearward direction away from the board-receiving area; the trolley carrying both the first board picker and the second board picker; placing a first plurality of boards at the first station; placing a second plurality of boards at the second station; the first board picker picking a first chosen board selectively from the first station and the second station; the second board picker picking a second chosen board selectively from the first station and the second station; delivering both the first chosen board and the second chosen board to the board-receiving area; laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station; the controller computing a first quantity of the first plurality of boards based on laser scanning the first plurality of boards at the first station; laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station; and the controller computing a second quantity of the second plurality of boards based on laser scanning the second plurality of boards at the second station.
 19. The lumber handling method of claim 18, further comprising the controller providing an alert signal if at least one of the first quantity and the second quantity is below a predetermined minimum quantity.
 20. The lumber handling method of claim 18, further comprising: the first board picker releasing the first chosen board at the board-receiving area; and the second board picker releasing the second chosen board at the board-receiving area, wherein a first time span extends between when the first board picker picks up the first chosen board and when the second board picker picks up the second chosen board, and a second time span extends between when the first board picker releases the first chosen board at the board-receiving area and when the second board picker releases the second chosen board at the board-receiving area, and the first time span is greater than the second time span.
 21. The lumber handling method of claim 18, further comprising: the first board picker releasing the first chosen board at the board-receiving area; and the second board picker releasing the second chosen board at the board-receiving area, wherein the first board picker releasing the first chosen board at the board-receiving area and the second board picker releasing the second chosen board at the board-receiving area occurs substantially simultaneously.
 22. The lumber handling method of claim 18, further comprising the first board picker carrying the first chosen board over the second station. 